Two Charged With Child Abuse After 10-Month Old Is Found With Burn Marks

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County Sheriff's Investigator Alfred Sanchez, on Friday, July 30, arrested and charged, CRYSTAL MEJIA, age 24, of the 1500 block of West Picacho, with one third degree count of Child Abuse - Negligently Permit (No Death or Great Bodily Harm), along with her boyfriend, JEREMY GARCIA, age 19, of the 1100 block of Tamony Lane, who was charged with two, third degree counts of Child Abuse - Intentional (No Death or Great Bodily Harm).

According to Sheriff's Investigator Sanchez, the Victim, age 10 months, MEJIA'S daughter, had been taken to the hospital only due to the insistence of the biological father, when he observed burn marks, resembling that of an automobile cigarette lighter on the Victim's upper left arm, lower lip and buttocks.

The injuries incurred over a three day period.

MEJIA was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center under a $10,000.00 Surety bond.

GARCIA was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center under a $10,000.00 Surety bond.